FL - FSU Law Professor Dan Markel Murdered by Hitmen-Donna Adelson Upcoming Trial - *5 Guilty* #27

[browneyes]

Oh come on. A LOT of people have never read her book, myself included (I’ll admit it, it’s on my list though and I have heard excerpts); there are details about Danny and the murder people should know. People should read it, considering how much focus there has been on the Adelsons over the past decade.

As a marketing professional for just as long, would I have advised bringing it up in a victim impact statement? Probably not, but then my family member wasn’t brutally murdered.

I think it’s worth pointing out that the media reporting on this case is at an all time high and shows no signs of slowing down. With Wendi and Harvey twisting in the wind and waiting for their inevitable turns at being behind bars, now is a good time to generate interest in the book. There has been so much PR around Donna and the Adelson Conspiracy Crew, why not let Ruth have a sliver of a moment in time to remind the public that the other mother/grandmother’s voice matters?

Ruth is not looking to profit or have some mega book tour. From what I know of the Markels, they’re not “Adelson Rich” but they were shrewd enough with their finances while raising their children that they’re more than comfortable.

The book plug was folded into the rest of her statement that included the advocacy work and The Markel Act. You have to remember that this woman has done countless interviews and answered so many of the same questions over and over again, she has had her own life and family blown apart, nitpicked etc. There is something to be said for having a captive audience that is not clamoring for a sound bite, being prompted instead to contemplate her first person perspective in quiet reflection and immersion.

To characterize it as “really gross” is borderline mean and dismissive, JMHO.

I agree so much. It seems Dan, and his family have become the forgotten victims. I’m going to purchase her book. My heartfelt love and strength to them. What a journey…..so far, hopefully.

 

[Zedzded]

Much as I hate to say it, I think this item does not prove pre-planning of murder.

Realistically where did that information come from?

 

[opt]

Realistically where did that information come from?

My guess only: After the murder from Wendi or from Donna herself in her trip to help move. Or from the police who would have held the car for a while as evidence. It's my understanding that the car info was in the back of the planner not on a pre murder date. I could be mistaken.

 

[turaj]

This YouTuber excitedly ran the TikTok video with her commentary. An impressive young juror once you see past the ebullience.

WEll I don't think got the trial by her "peers" that she might have wanted. I agree of course with the verdict but this juror I believe really wanted to be on the jury and if she says "wild ride " one more time not going to believe it. And now talking about them going after Wendy....and the "ebullience" as the poster calls it. Boy not sure what to think. I hope she does not say or do something to jeopardize the verdict.

 

[ch_13]

Someone said the planner also had the vehicle ID number. VIN is necessary for insurance and sometimes for registration renewal. Definitely needed to sell a car, for example after the death of the owner.

Much as I hate to say it, I think this item does not prove pre-planning of murder.

But why would Donna have any details about Dan's car? Maybe if Wendi had it. After all at some point, I assume, that was the family car. But I can't think of a single good reason why Donna would ever need to know the VIN and other details of Dan's car, even when he was still her son-in-law.

And if it's true Donna had the VIN, then she almost certainly had to be given it by Wendi. The only was to know a car's VIN is to either have to have access to the car's paperwork or to examine very closely the tiny print on the side of the door (or the other locations where the VIN is printed).

In most states, if you know the VIN and/or license plate of a car, you can look up the other details. If you go to almost any auto parts website, you can use those identifiers to get the make, model and year of a car. (But usually not the color.)

 

[ch_13]

My guess only: After the murder from Wendi or from Donna herself in her trip to help move. Or from the police who would have held the car for a while as evidence. It's my understanding that the car info was in the back of the planner not on a pre murder date. I could be mistaken.

Maybe I'm not following. This was Dan's car post-divorce. It would have been a part of his estate, it wouldn't have gone to Wendi. And I don't think it's likely the police would have told either Donna or Wendi any details about the car that was in their custody.

In fact, considering they left town within two days of the murder, and only communicated via their lawyers after that, there wasn't even an opportunity for the cops to talk to Wendi/Donna about the car.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Here's that juror's TikToks so far. Quite informative and entertaining. Very very Gen Z lol.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7546688064698027294

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7546714327617735967

 

[browneyes]

It certainly seems like they may have Wendi in their crosshairs but my opinion hasn’t changed. The case against her for conspiracy to commit murder will be very difficult and I’m purely basing that on information that’s public. Honestly, I’ve given up making the point that it’s a weak case because somehow people question my motive when I share that view and they believe that opinion is anti J4DM or not in good faith.

Honestly, I never thought they’d get DA. Wendi’s arrest is on my Christmas list.

 

[Zedzded]

My guess only: After the murder from Wendi or from Donna herself in her trip to help move. Or from the police who would have held the car for a while as evidence. It's my understanding that the car info was in the back of the planner not on a pre murder date. I could be mistaken.

It was in the 2014 planner, thats all we know. If it was written after the murder, the defence would have raised this.

 

[opt]

VIN is on the registration, and Wendi might have had an old registration or ownership paper from before the divorce. Police would have released the car to Wendi post murder and it would have to be sold then. Maybe prosecutors know that the entry was pre murder but I didn't see that.

One thing for sure is that a VIN is of no use to hitmen other than to confirm make and model. It doesn't even tell you the color.

 

[opt]

It was in the 2014 planner, thats all we know. If it was written after the murder, the defence would have raised this.

You give this defense too much credit.

 

[dyannaON]

I wonder what the boys know.
I’m sure much has been shielded from them.

I hope they get to reunite one day with Dans side and come to Toronto.

That is some major trauma they will need to get through once they learn the real truth.
So very sad and heartbreaking.

 

[browneyes]

You mean the collection of the 2025 Summer Prison Pastels? The baby blue cardigan and the pinstriped blouse? She thought her time on the jail catwalk was unlike any other murderers. She is Donna so it was all going to work out in her favour.

Did you see when she had a moment of anger and quickly had to snap out of it? She knows judge E is going to measure out her sentence so she can’t show her true self yet.

She definitely had a quick tantrum reaction of anger but then remembered to pretend to cry.

 

[turaj]

I wonder what the boys know.
I’m sure much has been shielded from them.

I hope they get to reunite one day with Dans side and come to Toronto.

That is some major trauma they will need to get through once they learn the real truth.
So very sad and heartbreaking.

i think one is. 15 or 16....I think they know a lot....you can't keep this from boys that age.

 

[BrownRice]

has anyone seen the tik tok video by jury foreperson? Jacey Maxson-Walker,

I tried. Didn’t have the patience.

 

[turaj]

I tried. Didn’t have the patience.

it was posted above and she is far too excited. about as she calls it "the wild ride" and offering her opinion on Wendy...she now thinks she is very very legal savvy. I think this is her 15 min of fame.

 

[Wishbone]

It felt weird to me as well. It also felt weird that she had sunglasses inside the courtroom and during the reading of her VIS. Chatters attributed the sunglasses to her apparant fall a few days earlier when she started wearing them inside. I have never gotten a black eye from falling but I guess anything is possible. Also wouldn't you just cover any marks on your face with make up? It's an odd choice to me.

I thought both her and Phil Markel's statements were pretty impactful. They're both great communicators. I'm relieved for them that Donna was held to account cause, I believe as the state does, she was the insigator of this murder. Seeing the statements read as Donna was shaking with rage and humiliation was satisfying. JMO

She also had a band-aid on her nose for awhile.......If she smashed her nose it could cause her eye or eyes to look like a black eye.

 

[LinasK]

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES​

DAY 9 – 9/4/25​

• LIVESTREAM: FL v. Donna Adelson, Day 9 | Matriarch Mastermind Murder Trial
• MORE | Jury convicts Donna Adelson in murder-for-hire killing of Dan Markel
• Ahead of closing arguments, the defense renewed its motion for acquittal, which the judge denied.
• In closing arguments, prosecutor Georgia Cappleman painted Donna as the driving force behind a family conspiracy that led to Markel’s 2014 killing.
  • Cappleman argued that Markel was killed because he was fighting to prevent his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, from moving their two young sons away from Tallahassee during their divorce.
  • Cappleman described Donna as deeply involved in her daughter’s divorce, writing mediation notes and suggesting legal strategies, including pursuing a restraining order and seeking 100% custody.
  • Cappleman referenced what became known as the “Grandma Motion” — a court filing by Markel alleging that Donna was disparaging him to the children.
  • Cappleman described a timeline leading up to the murder, including Charlie soliciting Katherine Magbanua to arrange Markel’s killing, communications about Markel’s travel schedule and coded language about a TV repair appointment.
  • After Markel’s death, Donna and Harvey had taken the children back to South Florida, and relocation was granted. The children did not attend Markel’s funeral in Canada, and within a year, their names were changed to Adelson.
  • Cappleman described how the family allegedly paid the hitmen for two years until an undercover FBI operation in 2016.
    • WATCH: Matriarch Mastermind Murder Trial: ‘Innocent People Do Not Talk in Code’
• Defense attorney Jackie Fulford began her closing argument by denying the State’s accusations that she attacked Dan Markel’s character back when she delivered her opening statement.
  • Disputed the State’s version of “bitter custody,” arguing no party tried to relocate or take children away.
  • Claimed the State ignored evidence supporting the defense from its own witnesses.
  • Emphasized that Luis Rivera (a killer who cooperated with the State) did not implicate Donna Adelson directly.
  • Argued Wendi Adelson misled her mother about wanting to relocate, manipulating her mother’s understanding.
  • Acknowledged Donna Adelson sent profane emails but stated poor language isn’t proof of murder; called her a “meddler, not a murderer.”
    • WATCH: Defense: Donna Adelson Is a ‘Meddler, Not a Murderer’
  • Insisted no strong evidence tied Donna Adelson to planning or knowing about the murder.
  • Highlighted that Donna Adelson was not directly involved with relocation or “grandmother motion” issues and didn’t know about certain court actions.
  • Questioned the reliability and relevance of testimony from State witnesses Patricia Byrd and Drina Bernhardt.
  • Disputed claims Donna Adelson helped with alibis or was present during key events, referencing phone records and absence of physical evidence.
  • Played a video of Donna Adelson’s shocked reaction to learning about Markel’s death, arguing this indicated innocence and lack of anticipation.
  • Challenged the idea that code words or cash meant involvement in a crime.
  • Pointed to the lack of evidence for conspiracy, solicitation, or murder charges.
  • Noted that Donna Adelson was not arrested for years despite intensive investigation.
  • Suggested Donna was set up for dramatic arrest without real proof.
  • Urged the jury not to convict based on foul language or emotional arguments but on actual evidence, asserting there’s no concrete link between Donna Adelson and the murder.
    • WATCH: Donna Adelson’s Defense: ‘All They Have Are Foul Words’
• In her rebuttal, Georgia Cappleman reminded jurors that only evidence counts, not the words of lawyers.
  • Argued the alleged “TV repair alibi” was likely code and easily manipulated.
  • Said Donna Adelson took precautions and acted “in code,” including behavior around providing cash.
  • Claimed Donna did not truly help her daughter but participated in the crimes, especially by bringing money and writing checks.
  • Accused Donna of caring only for herself, not for her grandchildren’s loss.
  • Pointed to Donna’s actions on recorded wire calls, arguing they showed involvement in extortion and murder-for-hire.
  • Emphasized Donna refused to acknowledge the pain felt by Markel’s children and failed to accept responsibility.
  • Stressed the prosecution must prove its case, but insisted evidence shows Donna Adelson was “neck deep” in the crime.
  • Closed by charging that “there is only one truth” and urging jurors to find Donna Adelson guilty.
    • WATCH: Prosecutor: Donna Adelson ‘Tried to Erase Dan Markel…Find Her Guilty’
• After deliberating for 3 hours, 12 minutes, and 58 seconds a Leon County jury of 8 men and 4 women found Donna Adelson GUILTY on all counts.
  • WATCH: Matriarch Mastermind Murder Trial: Watch the Verdict!
  • WATCH: Ruth Markel: ‘Danny’s Absence Leaves a Hole At the Center of Our Lives’
  • WATCH: Dan Markel’s Father Asks Donna Adelson: ‘Was It Worth It?’
  • WATCH: Georgia Cappleman Reflects on Win, Reluctantly Answers the ‘W’ Question

FL v. Donna Adelson: Matriarch Mastermind Murder Trial

UPDATE: Donna Adelson, the Florida grandmother accused of orchestrating the 2014 killing of Dan Markel, has been found guilty on all counts.

www.courttv.com

Color me further disgusted that the boys were prohibited from attending Dan's funeral. I don't think I followed it closely enough to be aware of that. He wasn't the criminal here.

 

[LinasK]

VIN is on the registration, and Wendi might have had an old registration or ownership paper from before the divorce. Police would have released the car to Wendi post murder and it would have to be sold then. Maybe prosecutors know that the entry was pre murder but I didn't see that.

One thing for sure is that a VIN is of no use to hitmen other than to confirm make and model. It doesn't even tell you the color.

If they were divorced, why did the police turn the car over to Wendi??? Shouldn't it have gone to his estate/his parents to sell???

 

[opt]

If they were divorced, why did the police turn the car over to Wendi??? Shouldn't it have gone to his estate/his parents to sell???

Yes it would have gone to his estate. I assumed that would be the boys (and therefore Wendi) but I don't know.